‘The Producers’ a hit

By Laura Barnes, For the Record-Bee

Thursday, October 5, 2017

LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Theatre Company’s long-awaited musical, “The Producers” is here. Opening weekend wowed over 200 audience members; many of them said it was the best show they’d ever seen in Lake County.

Mel Brooks’ Tony-Award winner tells the story of two Broadway producers who attempt to get rich by scamming investors in the world’s worst musical, “Springtime for Hitler.” Complete with flamboyant führers and prancing pretzels, “Springtime for Hitler” is a sure-fire flop — or so they thought. Come see the play to find out the rest of the story.

In light of recent events in Charlottesville (and beyond) it may seem in poor taste for us to present this play. At a time when many Americans are intent on eliminating Confederate imagery from public places, it could appear insensitive and downright offensive for us to parade around onstage dressed as Hitler and sporting swastikas, perhaps the most hate-filled image of all time.

But Mel Brooks’ intent when he wrote the play wasn’t to glorify Nazis or Hitler. Brooks, a Jew himself who fought in WWII, would seem like the last person in the world to see anything funny about Hitler. His goal instead was to mock him. In an interview he explained, “These orators are very good at convincing the masses they’re right. But if you can make them look ridiculous, then you can win over the people. With comedy, we can rob Hitler of his posthumous power.”

Brooks wasn’t trying to glorify Hitler or racism, and we certainly aren’t either. We just want to make people laugh. And while this musical will probably make you gasp with incredulity at its lack of political correctness, our hope is that it will also have you rolling in the aisles. And there is plenty of humor to inspire aisle-rolling! Outrageous characters, slapstick, dancing grandmas, giant pigeons, and sexual innuendo are just a few of the things you’ll have to look forward to when you come to see “The Producers.” Our cast and crew have been working tirelessly the past few months to bring Mel Brooks’ genius script to life and we hope you’ll come join in the fun.

The play runs through Sunday, October 15. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased on the Soper Reese website or at their box office. For more information, visit www.lctc.us or call 278-9628. Save $5 by purchasing your tickets in advance.